Finally got my 170 home

juredd1 · Post by **juredd1** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:53 am

Well I figured I bugged you all enough with my problems during the search and loan phase of my plane quest that I would share the joy of my purchase and the subsequent training/trip home phase.

I left Arkansas with my Uncle and flew out to Idaho on Wednesday evening of last week to get a look at the plane I hoped would be mine. The seller was kind enough to allow us to stay with him during this trip so we arrived around midnight and I got a quick peak and hit the sack. Got up early Thursday morning to get the process rolling as I had only 6 days at most to get a decision made, money transferred, 10 minimum hours of required tail-wheel training to meet my insurance requirements and fly her back home.

Made the decision by around noon to move forward and by 2:30 or so the transfer of funds was complete. Contacted the CFI that was waiting for the news and he flew in that evening and I received my first official hour of tail-wheel time. I was able to squeeze out another hour Friday morning and 1.4 hours Friday evening. I was stressing a bit as I was needing another 6.6 hours in less than 2 days to be able to get back home without risking a divorce, ya see my wife was at home with our two kids that are under 4. Plus that thing that pays the bills was expecting me back by Tuesday morning. Saturday morning rolled around and I had to wait for the CFI to fit more customers in that morning and then it was my turn. After about 3.5 hours I was exhausted for the day. An early start was planned for Sunday morning. Plane was fueled and ready to roll by 7:30am and away we went. We were back by 12:30 or so and I was up to 10.4 hours and my tail-wheel endorsement was in the books shortly thereafter. I have fears early on in my search that echoed through my head can I really do this tail dragger thing? Well believe it or not I had done it; well at least I had received the approval of a 5000+ hour tail dragger instructor. Maybe that is not very much time but it seems like a lot of time to me.

By 2:30 we were packed and shortly thereafter I had made my first take off without my instructor. Even though I was accompanied by my Uncle that has flow tail-wheel planes for the better part of 48 years it was still a relief to do it without my CFI’s watchful eye.

Poor planning our my part (time change as you go East) and needing a bathroom break after 3 hours we had to call it quits for the evening in Butte, MT. An early morning start headed us further SE toward South Big Horn Co., WY for the next fuel stop. Setting in this plane for use was like getting on a horse when you’re not used to riding. 3 hours was about all this old boy could handle after 4 knee surgeries that knee wanted some room to roam.

Some weather was moving in from the SW so we headed out and just did out run the storm as we crossed over the 8200 foot mountains to the SE as that would be the last of the big ones and on to the flatter country. We ended up in Alliance, NE for the next top, grabbed the loaner, headed into town for a quick lunch as the Larry filled her up. With 15 to 20 mph head winds for most of Monday I realized it was not in the cards for me to make it home on time and with not many options ahead of use on our planned route we killed way to long in Alliance trying to figure out where was the next stop that we could get access to a loaner so we could get a motel. With some guidance from Larry we headed for Concordia, KS, with not really enough time to get there before dark (My Uncle was a bit nervous about me landing in the dark) we were looking for alternates. But thank the good LORD about 2 hours into this leg our head wind gave it up and we landed about 20 minutes after sunset with some light to spare. Pretty nice place, you can actually taxi to within a few hundred feet of a Holiday Inn Express.

I gave the wife the bad new and notified my job that I wouldn't be in until Wednesday. We got a good night’s rest and head out Tuesday morning with round 300nm to go. Today would be our day, smooth air and a 15-20 mph tail wind. We were home and on the ground before noon and I had two excited kids waiting to hop in that airplane wanting to take a ride (I did not by the way....that will come in time). The wife was not nearly as excited but hey she at least brought the kids over to see it.

My instructor was awesome and he took me to some beautiful places in NW Idaho and East WA. Some real world training on some dirt/grass strips, Cavanaugh Bay, Priest Lake, Porthill (A bit nervous there), and my favorite was Sullivan Lake.. I am 100% sure there are some tougher ones, that was not a brag on me, just saying he didn't make it easy for me. He made sure I got some asphalt experience as well.

So after all that I am excited to be a 170 owner. I am thinking that someone on this forum has owned this plane in the past as there are a couple 170 association stickers on the virtual fin. Her number is 2836C.

Hope I didn't bore ya with the experience. It was just awesome for me and I believe my Uncle enjoyed it as well. At least we got to spend some good quality time together. If it had not been for the friendly folks that sold me the plane that allowed us to stay in their home while I received my training my expense would have been a tad bit bigger.

Justin

Bill Hart · Post by **Bill Hart** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:11 am

Well DANG after all that no photos!

Just kidding, congratulations on the new airplane. Now post some pictures soon!

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:45 am

A big congratulations Justin.

bigrenna · Post by **bigrenna** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:00 am

delete

Hawkeyenfo · Post by **Hawkeyenfo** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:35 am

Congrats! You're gonna have a blast

Kyle Wolfe · Post by **Kyle Wolfe** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:01 am

Justin, Congrats! Good story. And yes, pictures would be good too - especially when you do get your kids up for that first ride.

Sounds like a 170 news story in the makin'!

cessna170bdriver · Post by **cessna170bdriver** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:58 pm

Congratulations Justin! That was quite an undertaking, considering you had to make the decision to buy the airplane THEN get your tailwheel endorsement. Now just try to keep current, and don't hesitate to find a local tailwheel instructor to help keep you sharp. You've only just begun.

On the longer legs I too have a knee that doesn't like to stay in one position for long periods. I find it very helpful to, once established in cruise, to let the seat back a notch or two to let me straighten out my leg a bit. I can get all the rudder I need in cruise with just my tip toes. Just don't forget to readjust before landing.

Hope to meet you and your family in St. Louis next summer!

juredd1 · Post by **juredd1** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:00 pm

Sorry for the delay in the pictures. I was working late and trying to get the post in before my network went down for maintenance so I didn't have time to get the pictures loaded.

Pic above With the bigger tires. The big tires were replaced with the the regular size, we thought it might be better to do my training in the smaller ones.

The kids are breaking it in the right way, with a little cheese dust.

c170b53 · Post by **c170b53** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:07 pm

I fly that route almost every summer, and it never gets old. Great looking plane, I'd say you have done well.

T. Gandy · Post by **T. Gandy** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:52 pm

Thanks for the story and CONGRATULATIONS!! sounds like you had a fun trip home.

Ryan Smith · Post by **Ryan Smith** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:38 pm

Green AND red? Your airplane, though beautiful it is, will cause some disturbance in the force here.

Nevertheless, CONGRATULATIONS!

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:12 pm

Nice Justin. Love the cheese dust.

First mod that seems pretty clear to me is to paint over that red primer with more GREEN

170C · Post by **170C** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:20 pm

Justin, congrats on the purchase of your 170. May you have many, many years of enjoyment with it. I see two potential new 170 members there in the back seat. Cute kids

Enjoyed your story and as someone mentioned it sounds like a good article for an upcoming 170 NEWS. Too bad about that headwind you encountered, although it gave you more logged time. That was likely that red paint slowing you down. That GREEN paint will serve you well

Get to know the 170 members in you area and go to some of their fly ins. You will find that we are just a big family.

Frank

hilltop170 · Post by **hilltop170** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:23 pm

Congratulations and good luck with your new plane! Your learning curve is very steep right now, get as much time in it as you can, especially with your kids. Have fun and be very careful as well. Remember to fly it all the way to the tiedown and cautiously keep challenging yourself with crosswinds, etc. You'll be surprised how fast you will feel comfortable. The 170 is a great airplane.

Ryan Smith · Post by **Ryan Smith** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:46 pm

So does this mean his airplane is more or less as fast as a BLUE one?

The International Cessna 170 Association